第１７４５堀：人質たちの扱い (Part1)
**Chapter 1745: The Handling of Hostages**
**Side: Hairen**
"Yoo-hoo. I’ve come to pick you up~"
With that, I stepped through the gate.
The light of the gate was so blinding that I couldn’t see what was on the other side, but well, I suppose that’s to be expected when you’re here to escort VIPs.
When I once asked Yuki why gates had to be so dazzling, he replied:
*“It’s likely due to the cross-section created by the gate’s transition; I imagine it’s a design consideration for that.”*
*“A cross-section?”*
*“You know how an X-ray takes a cross-sectional slice, right?”*
*“Ah, that’s convenient, isn't it?”*
*“Exactly. It’s essentially that, but in a more realistic state. For instance, if your upper body has passed through the gate but your lower body is still in front of it, you’d likely be able to see a cross-section of your own abdomen.”*
*“Oh, wouldn’t that be incredibly useful for medicine?”*
*“For medicine, yes. But to an observer, they’d be looking at a cross-section of a human body.”*
*“Ah, I see. That would definitely make some people feel sick.”*
He had said something so logical.
I don’t know if it’s that he lacks a sense of fun, or if we just don’t click, but he’s always like that.
As the light began to fade, I looked around…
"Oh, there are more people here than I expected."
For some reason, there were a large number of people who looked like civilians in front of the gate.
Wasn't the plan to meet with the high-ranking officials of the Oue Kingdom?
More importantly, who am I supposed to talk to?
Just as I was wondering what to do, given that the situation was completely different from what I’d been told…
"Ah, Lady Hairen."
"Oh, Enola."
My cute Enola stepped out from the crowd toward me, making her easy to spot.
"Hey, what’s with all these people? They don’t look like high-ranking officials, do they?"
"Yes. These are not the VIPs of the Oue Kingdom, but the people who were held hostage and whom we rescued the other day."
"Ah~ those people."
No wonder they looked so exhausted and their clothes were so disheveled.
"So, why are they all gathered in front of the gate?"
"Well, the northern town currently lacks the capacity to accommodate them, and there are issues with taking them directly to the royal capital, so..."
"Ah, I see."
The northern town had been under constant attack, their fields burned, and they were in the midst of a food crisis.
Weed had intervened, and thanks to Yuki’s signature brand of disruption—or rather, his habit of scattering food everywhere—they had managed to scrape by. We’d rescued the hostages, but it seemed they simply didn't have the resources to house them.
When it comes to things like food, it’s a source of anxiety for everyone, so I suppose they decided it would be better for Weed to take them in.
"I understand the situation, but I haven't received any instructions. Where am I supposed to take them?"
I understood that they were to be taken to Weed.
But I had no idea where in Weed they should go or how they should be handled. The location would surely change depending on what these people intended to do from here on out.
If it were just a few people, that would be one thing, but at a glance, there were dozens. I couldn't even tell how many more were in the back—maybe hundreds?
I certainly didn't have the authority to make decisions for that many people.
If it came down to it, I could rely on the Litea Church or the Hairen Church, but…
"Oh, that will be fine. I will guide these people myself."
"Oh, is that so? So, does that mean I’m supposed to wait here for the actual VIPs?"
"That is the arrangement. They are to be accepted into Weed as refugees for the time being. And, since this is their first time seeing a gate..."
"I see. So, my stepping through it was to prove it’s safe?"
"Exactly."
Anyone would be worried about whether it’s safe the first time they see a gate.
In that case, what I needed to do was…
"Alright everyone, listen up. The gate is perfectly safe. Meals are prepared on the other side just like yesterday, and there are beds for you to sleep in. Please follow Enola. If anyone is feeling unwell, let us know. We will handle it as we go."
Enola looked a bit surprised by my words, but she immediately broke into a smile.
"Yes. Everyone, let’s go. Please follow me. There are goblins on the other side, but they are there to provide the same support as we are, so please don’t be alarmed. Just stay calm and listen to their instructions. We will begin taking down names..."
I see, she intends to make a roster while moving them.
It’s not like they could have done it in that chaotic northern town yesterday.
As I thought about that, the refugees began to file into the gate.
Of course, it wasn't just Enola; the support goblins were also surrounding them, guiding them so no one would get lost.
As I watched the flow of people, someone called out to me.
"Lady Hairen."
"Hm?"
I turned around to see Ryushi standing there.
"Ah, Ryushi. Yoo-hoo. And where are Yuki and the others?"
"Yes. They will be here shortly. They said the movement of the refugees must come first."
"True enough. But do you think this many people can move through easily?"
I watched them filing through the gate; at most, five people could pass through side-by-side.
It looked like a lot, but in reality, they were taking it slow, maybe three at a time. And above all, even though I had just come through, some were still hesitant because it was their first time.
"Well, it will be fine, Lady Hairen."
"Oh, Elder. Thank you for your presence."
The Elder from Eris’s group had arrived.
"Thank you for nothing, I was merely sitting there. Though, sitting still can be quite tiring in its own right."
"That’s true~. Fighting off boredom while just sitting there is a struggle in itself~."
And there was the added pressure of being scolded if you spoke, so you really couldn't do anything.
"Haha... Oh, and how was it, Elder? Did you feel anything off about the meeting?"
"Hmm. There was nothing like what Ryushi-chan was concerned about. I did not sense any intent to deceive us or bring us any disadvantage."
"I was watching that meeting too, and like the Elder, I didn't sense any lies or underhanded schemes."
Those people were simply trying to find solutions because they were truly in a bind; they weren't about to try and trick us further.
"If the Elder and Hairen say so, then it should be fine."
Yuki arrived next, bringing everyone else with him.
The King of Oue and the Princesses I’d seen in the images... wait?
"Yuki, why does it look like Queen Dana is there, and she’s pregnant?"
"She is. I have Rurua accompanying her."
"No, no, shouldn't a pregnant woman be resting? Isn't taking her to Weed just going to be a burden?"